Storm In A Jar By Samuel Langley-Swain and Katie Cottle – picture book review

I’ve not really talked about it on the Buttons blog, but this Christmas my Grandad passed away. We were a little lost, sad and not exactly sure what we should be doing. But, thankfully we had Storm In A Jar by Samuel Langley-Swain and Katie Cottle already on our bookshelf to light the way (thank you Sam). 

During the Christmas period we were able to find comfort and also joy through this wonderful picture book, remembering so many special times, and having a means to gently navigate through the last few weeks, as a family. Because, whilst Storm In A Jar is a picture book, it’s message touched us all. 

Storm In A Jar By Samuel Langley-Swain and Katie Cottle

Synopsis

When Arlo’s nana passes away, he keeps her special sweetie jar with him to feel safe and closer to her. As his sadness turns to anger, a storm builds inside the jar, until Arlo has enough and smashes it open!

As the storm washes Arlo out to sea, he spots nana sailing off into the moonlight and realises she’ll be happy and safe, wherever she is headed.

Review

Storm In A Jar is a beautifully sensitive story that follows Arlo as he grieves the loss of his beloved Nana. 

Arlo clings tightly to his Nana’s memory through her sweet jar that now sits empty and tightly sealed, locking in her smell of sweets and flowers. As time passes, the once comforting sugary clouds left behind inside the sweet jar turn dark and stormy as we discover that Arlo has not just bottled-up Nana’s memory and smell, but also his own feelings too.

Stunning storytelling gently takes us on Arlo’s emotional and heartfelt journey through loss and out the other side to happier days. 

You can feel the amount of care and tenderness that has gone into each page, making this such a positive and accessible picture book to add to any children’s bookshelf. Especially, in preparation for and during times of loss. As I mentioned earlier, I feel lucky that we had this already on our bookshelf this Christmas as it’s helped all of us, in so many ways. 

The thoughtful wording and warm, relatable illustrations help children to see that these types of big feelings are normal and OK to have. With emphasis on the importance of not bottling up feelings as this can cause them to grow.

As mum opens the lid to Nana’s sweet jar and lets out the smell of her house full of flowers and sweets, I could literally feel Arlo’s relief in letting go, and felt myself breathing out with him too.  

Its ending is heart-warming and positive; supporting the idea of being able to remember loved ones that are no longer with us in a happy way. 

Our overall thoughts

We love Storm In A Jar by Samuel Langley-Swain and Katie Cottle. Ultimately, it is a picture book about bereavement, but it’s also layered and addresses big feelings such as anger and anxiety, and focuses on not bottling up emotions. 

Everything about the book is so sensitively done, and whilst it’s not an easy theme to tackle, especially with little ones, this feels like a safe, calm read, even in difficult times when as a parent, you may be struggling yourself, as we found out.

Storm In A Jar is what I would want to have to hand to read to my little one during a time of loss. And for some reason, this book found us at just the right time, so we were able to read this when my little one’s Great Grandad passed away. It’s been a much needed conversation starter and comfort.  

Moving, warm and full of love.

We would absolutely, and wholeheartedly recommend this picture book.

Storm In A Jar by Samuel Langley-Swain and Katie Cottle is available from most good book stores, as well as directly via Owlet Press.

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